The SafeJournalists Network expresses serious concern and strongly condemns the threats and hate speech directed at Hrvoje Zovko, President of the Croatian Journalists’ Association (CJA), as well as at journalist and CJA Vice-President Drago Hedl, which followed the broadcast of the documentary film “Peacemaker” on Croatian Radiotelevision.

After a Facebook post by Branimir Glavaš, Croatian politician and general whose guilt for a war crime was established by a first-instance verdict, but the judgment is not yet final, in which Hrvoje Zovko was mentioned directly and unequivocally, a large number of insulting and threatening comments were recorded. Particularly concerning are messages implying violence, including the comment: “General, I await your command.” In the disputed post, Glavaš expressed regret that during Croatia’s democratic transition there was no scenario similar to that in Bucharest in 1989* thereby further fuelling a dangerous and inflammatory atmosphere. When asked by one commenter what he regretted and what should have been done differently, Glavaš replied: “We should have tried them before the death penalty was abolished by the Constitution.”

The post on Facebook followed the screening of the film “Peacemaker,” a documentary about Josip Reihl Kir, co-authored by Hrvoje Zovko and Drago Hedl. Moreover, a programme on HTV hosted and edited by Petar Vlahov, broadcast two days after the film aired, was used for harsh attacks on the film and for belittling its authors, which further fuelled the hysteria directed at both the film and its creators.

The SafeJournalists Network reminds that threats against journalists and public incitement to violence constitute a serious attack on media freedom, democratic values and fundamental human rights. In this case, it is no longer only a matter of pressure on freedom of expression, but also of the potential endangerment of the safety and lives of individuals who have been publicly singled out.

We call on the competent institutions of the Republic of Croatia to react urgently and effectively, conduct a thorough investigation into the threats, and ensure protection for journalists exposed to intimidation campaigns. We also urge public officials and media outlets to refrain from rhetoric that may incite violence or further stigmatise journalists.

The SafeJournalists Network will inform relevant national and international actors about this case.

Every attack on journalists is an attack on democracy, the public interest, and fundamental human rights.

Pristina – Skopje – Sarajevo – Zagreb – Belgrade – Podgorica – Tirana, February 20, 2026

Croatian Journalists’ Association

Association of Journalists of Kosovo

Association of Journalists of Macedonia

BH Journalists’ Association

Independent Journalists’ Association of Serbia

Trade Union of Media of Montenegro

The source: IJAS

Foto by: Canva, ilustration